Is the Tide Turning on Consumer Products Made With Dangerous Chemicals?

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New York state took a huge step to protect consumers from dangerous chemicals by passing a law that requires household cleaners to include no more than 2 PPM (parts per million) of  1,4-Dioxane, a human carcinogen. By the end of 2023, the limit will reduce to a maximum of 1 PPM.

Some of the biggest brands use the chemical byproduct 1,4-Dioxane in their laundry detergents, including Arm & Hammer Clean Burst, Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Free & Clear, Tide Original, and Gain Original + Aroma Boost. All of these products are over the NY state limit and contain more than 3 PPM of 1,4-Dioxane.

The brand Ingredients Matter commissioned a study that was conducted by chemical testing lab Bureau Veritas. All the brands mentioned and more, including plant-based Mrs. Meyers were tested. Brands that market themselves as more free of chemicals like Mrs. Myers, All and Method tested between .18 and .4 PPM, passing the NY state limit but still containing the chemical. 

Forever Chemicals Linked to Cancer

According to EWG.org, chemicals like 1,4-Dioxane are referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ like PFAS chemicals. They build up in our bodies and never break down in the environment. Very small doses of PFAS have been linked to cancer, reproductive and immune system harm, and other diseases.

I,4-Dioxane has been detected in groundwater and drinking water supplies near chemical plants and waste sites. Environmental groups and brands like Ingredients Matter are trying to eradicate the chemical from household cleaning products. New York is the first state to reduce allowable levels of the carcinogen and rid the state of forever chemicals in their water supply. 

@detoxheather focuses on living with non toxic products and posted this story on tiktok. Several people expressed concern over having carcinogens in everyday use products like laundry detergent. 

“I’d just LOVE to not probably get cancer from LITERALLY everything we have used forever. Thank you for sharing.”

“I am so angry and tired of these companies being irresponsible. They need to start shutting them down and maybe this will stop!”

Many People Just Give Up

With so many household products full of chemicals that people have been using for decades, many say it’s becoming too exhausting to try to change everything to non-toxic. 

“I used to obsess about every little toxin until I realized my mental health was important too & I can’t avoid everything.”

“OMG I’ve been obsessing w/ everything since I had my daughter. It’s exhausting.”

“I mean I’m 33 years in. I think it’s too late. So..”

What to Use Instead

@detoxheather suggested a list of non-toxic laundry detergents:

  • Truly Free Home
  • Branch Basics
  • Borax
  • Thrive Market
  • 7th Generation
  • Molly Suds
  • Earth Breeze
  • Bio Laundry
  • Rosey
  • Honest
  • Attitude

Many people commented that they use all natural cleaning solutions for their clothing, including vinegar and baking soda. A few readers suggested placing one cup of baking soda with a few drops of essential oil inside the drum and adding vinegar in the front container. 

Do Your Homework

One reader mentioned she does her research before buying any product:

“I check EWG for most products and do my best to buy household natural & nontoxic products.”

Doing your homework on your most used items on websites like EWG is probably best before stocking up and finding out they are unsafe. 

 

@detoxheather #nontoxicliving #biohacking #environmentalprotectionagency #pfas #foreverchemicals #detoxheather #carcinogens #greenscreen ♬ Blade Runner 2049 – Synthwave Goose